South Middlesex Times

A recent study conducted by Lauren Feldman, a professor of journalism and media studies at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information, along with colleagues from the University of Michigan, sheds light on the influence of media coverage on public perception of climate change-related flooding.

Feldman highlighted the polarization between United States liberals and conservatives in their perceptions of climate change-related flooding, stating that "Liberals have much higher flooding risk perceptions than conservatives, regardless of whether the news they consume includes imagery." The study, published in the journal Science Communication, also found that news stories including vivid photos of flooding increased the perception among Americans that such events pose a threat.

The research explored the effects of different types of flooding imagery and the presence of political party cues in news stories. Feldman emphasized the importance of narrative focus in climate change journalism, suggesting that highlighting specific threats like flooding and public health risks could be more effective in engaging the public.

While the study revealed that imagery and party cues influenced perceptions of flooding as a threat, they did not directly impact participants' intentions to take action. Feldman noted that despite small overall effects, these findings underscore the challenges of using message features to shift climate change attitudes and behaviors.

In conclusion, the study's results provide valuable insights for climate change communicators and journalists, pointing to the need for strategic messaging that emphasizes the tangible risks posed by climate change to effectively engage and mobilize the public.